FAILURE TO ACCOUNT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23601, 9 March 1940, Page 8

FAILURE TO ACCOUNT

building society money CHIEF CLERK BEFORE COURI "It was 'a serious lapse for a man in a position of trust, but there is not the slightest excuse for him unless he was living beyond his means, said Mr. 1) • H. Levieri, S.M.. in the Police Court yesterday.' when lan Paterson Lindsay Galbraith, married, aged 38 (Mr. Baker), admitted five charges of theft, involving £5 los, from the Northern Co-operati,ve Terminating Building Society. Detective-Sergeant McHugh said accused was employed as chief clerk by the society, which had since discharged him. A number of remittances we:nt astray in the mail received by accused, and when his duties were changed there were 'no more shortages. He subsequently admitted his failure to account for the mpneys, explaining that he had been badly in need of funds. He earned £6 5s a week, and had been in New Zealand about three years. There was nothing previously known against hun, but his offences placed other members of the society's staff under suspicion. Mr. Baker" said full restitution was made, and rho prosecution was not brought until long , after accused made a statement to the police. lie bore a good reputation in the society, which was surprised at his lapse. The offences were spread over three months, and there was ,no suggestion of gambling or drinking. Accused's mother came to New Zealand on a visit, and was unable to return on account of the wa.r. The worry,of continuous expense caused some muddlement in accused. The Magistrate: A lot of people worry, but don't necessarily become thieves. .Accused earned over £6 a week, and had only his wife and mother and himself to keep. On the recommendation of the probation officer, Mr. <J. Anderson, accused was admitted to probation for two years, the magistrate taking his previous good record into consideration. Suppression of the names of the accused and the society, represented by Mr. Bone, was refused.